Regulation a positive thing

Every health profession in Ontario is regulated for the safety and protection of its citizens, so it’s high time that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) be included. Why would anyone practising this ancient form of medicine not embrace this regulation?

Regulations control safety and offer choice to ensure patients have access to treatment from qualified, ethical and competent health-care professionals. Peter Lam’s comments give the impression that regulating TCM is about cultural rights when the issue here is public safety first and foremost.

Information on the council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO) website clearly shows that in preparation for the new regulation there was extensive consultation within the profession in addition to the inclusion of grandparenting provisions.

There is no requirement for proficiency in English; merely reasonable fluency in English in order to provide a written plan to the CTCMPAO to confirm the safe treatment of patients and the ability to communicate with other health-care providers.

Peter Lam’s comments reflect nothing more than the self-serving interests of the Committee to Support Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario.